Date: Mon, 24 May 2004 22:12:39 -0500
Reply-To: Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: fixing low oil pressure
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
If you can hear the rods knocking, disregard everything below this line.
----------------------------
Don't go freaking out and pulling that engine apart.
1) Check that you have the right oil pressure sender.
2) Set your idle speed to about 1000 rpms.
3) If your oil light still flickers then move onto 15w/50 or 20w/50 engine
oil.
4) If you have an oil pressure gauge be sure the line (if it's mechanical)
isn't pinched off and if it's electronic be sure you got the right sender to
match the gauge.
-----------------------
Other item:
Yes you can pull the pistons with the engine in the van.
Yes you can replace the rod bearings without splitting the case.
Yes you can examine and measure the rod journals on the crank without
splitting the case.
Main bearings are long life and I've seen many with over 200,000 miles on
them and still good shape.
------------------------
There is a sequence of things you should examine.
Everything must be properly adjusted to make an air cooled engine run in
safe temp ranges.
1) Set the timing properly. Set the points.
2) Adjust the AFM so it isn't causing lean burn of fuel and causing
overheating of the engine. (Might need to be done at a shop). You can also
run the van, check the spark plugs, clean the plugs and make adjustments
until you get a right color (color of coffee with cream) as a spark plug
burn indicator. Be sure you have the right spark plugs.
3) Check the fuel flow at injectors.
4) Repair any vacuum leaks.
5) Make sure the engine bay perimeter seal is there and sealing properly.
6) Be sure you have the sheet metal over the pushrod tubes.
7)Close off any leaks that might let your fan draw in exhaust heat through
the sheet metal, around the license plate mounting door around A/C pumps
etc.
8) Inspect your cooling fan and make sure it has all the fins.
-----------------------------
If you don't have a good Oil Pressure gauge and an oil temp gauge you'll be
living in fear from now on regarding those two items.
Stan Wilder
Original Message -----
From: "Jake Beaulieu" <jake_beaulieu@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 5:20 PM
Subject: fixing low oil pressure
> I have an 82 air cooled Westy that has low oil pressure at warm idle. The
engine is a newer VW reman (30,000 miles). After searching the archives it
looks like bad rod bearings are the most likely culprit. I think I may take
the plunge and try to correct this on my own.
>
> My question: It appears that after removing the heads and jugs I can
change out the rod bearings without splitting case. Is there any chance
this will take care of the problem, or is it nearly guarnteed that the
crankshaft will need to be removed and machined?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jake B
>
>
> ---------------------------------
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